Childhood sweethearts who met over a chivalrous act to save a young girl's blushes are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today.

Ron and Ann Meldrum, of Bedwell Crescent in Stevenage, met when Ron was 16 and Ann 14, when Ron warned Ann 'Charlie's dead' - a slang euphemism that her petticoat was showing below the hem of her skirt.

They married on January 7, 1961, after Ron had finished his National Service, and moved from London to Stevenage in 1965, where they raised three children - Mark, Sally and Tony - in the house they still live in today.

Ron and Sally now also have three grandchildren - Jade, Charlotte and Alexandra.

The Comet: Ann and Ron have lived in the same house in Stevenage since 1965, where they raised their three childrenAnn and Ron have lived in the same house in Stevenage since 1965, where they raised their three children (Image: Courtesy of Sally Meldrum)

Sally said: "Mum is now 79 and dad 81. With the current situation, we as a family can’t spend it celebrating together, even though my parents have recently had their second Pfizer injection, so a small article in the Comet, with love from their family, will make their day."